Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Support Group

Anything that helps the pain is a good thing even if it dosnt do anything to shrink cysts...

I agree...anything that can help with pain I am willing to try. Thanks and let us know how the US goes. Good luck! =)

every little bit helps. What about those roll on pain med for muscle & joint. Any one tried that?

Lettetalk..it might even be a home remedy of the same type. I wonder what the ingredients of the roll on things are. Could be that they add the menthol to provide the heat and maybe have some type of oil like caster oil?? I wonder now and I will have to check that out. ;)

this is what I found on the topical stuff and it is different and probably would only be a distraction from the pain for PKD sufferers. =(
Title:
Arthritis pain relief: Creams and gels for aching joints

Author:
By Mayo Clinic Staff

Publication:
MayoClinic.com

Publisher:
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Date:
Oct 27, 2007

© 1998-2008 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.

Applications that make skin feel hot or cold. Doctors call these products counterirritants because they contain ingredients that irritate your skin. Ingredients such as menthol, oil of wintergreen or eucalyptus oil produce a sensation of hot or cold that distracts you from your arthritis pain, giving you temporary arthritis pain relief. Examples include Flexall 454, Icy Hot and JointFlex.
Aspirin-like pain rubs. Some products, called topical analgesics, contain salicylates, the same ingredients that give aspirin its pain-relieving quality. In addition to offering arthritis pain relief, these products may reduce joint inflammation as they're absorbed into the skin. Examples include Bengay, Aspercreme, Mobisyl and Sportscreme. If you are allergic to aspirin or are taking blood thinners, check with your doctor before using topical medications that contain salicylates.
Creams made from chili pepper seeds. The seeds contain a compound called capsaicin (kap-sa-IH-sin), which causes the burning sensation you associate with peppers. Creams made with capsaicin are most effective for arthritis pain in joints close to the skin surface, such as your fingers, knees and elbows. Capsaicin creams work by depleting your nerve cells of a chemical called substance P, which is important for sending pain messages. Capsaicin creams may need to be applied regularly for one or two weeks before arthritis pain relief may occur. Examples include ArthriCare, Capzasin and Zostrix.

I go to a naturopath every month or so for a massage and cupping and acupuncture .I think it helps a bit with the pain but also helps me just be more healthy. Well worth the money .

Hello! I'm new here, but this chat thread caught my eye. My massage therapist uses castor oil/hot pack treatments to start the session. It truly loosens everything up and you leave feeling like a noodle...and it beats having to eat the stuff!